How to Get Rid of a Canker Sore Fast

Canker sores are one of the most common inflammatory conditions of the mouth, affecting about 20 percent of the general population. Anyone can develop a canker sore; however, women are more likely than men to get them. Canker sores are not contagious and should not be confused with cold sores or fever blisters.

Known in medical terms as aphthous stomatitis, a canker sore is an ulcer on the mucous membrane inside the mouth. It usually appears as a red lesion with a white or yellow center on the inside of the cheeks or lips, the tongue, the upper surface of the mouth or the base of the gums. Symptoms include a burning sensation, pain, inflammation, fever and swollen lymph nodes.

The exact cause of canker sores is not yet known. Some factors that can trigger canker sores are an oral injury, weak immune system, hormonal changes in the body, too much stress, excessive smoking, hereditary factors, certain drugs, anemia, using the wrong oral care products, food allergies and viral infections.

Most canker sores do not require treatment, as they will usually disappear in seven to 10 days. However, you can try some natural remedies to reduce the pain and inflammation and to speed up the healing process.

Here are the top 10 ways to get rid of canker sores fast.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is an effective natural remedy for canker sores. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and curative properties that help ease the pain and inflammation as well as speed up the healing process.

Extract the gel from a fresh aloe vera leaf and apply it directly on the canker sore. Do this several times a day.

Alternatively, you can rinse your mouth with fresh aloe vera juice about three or four times a day.

You can also take at least two tablespoons of aloe vera gel three times a day for quick results.

Note: If you do not have an aloe vera plant, you can buy the gel or juice from the market.

2. Coriander

Coriander is one of the best ingredients for treating a canker sore. It contains anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antifungal properties that can effectively help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with canker sores.

Boil a handful of coriander leaves in a glass of water. Strain the solution and allow the water to cool. Gargle with the lukewarm water at least three or four times a day.

Boil one cup of water and add one teaspoon of coriander seeds to it. Allow it to sit for some time and then strain it. Rinse your mouth with it three or four times a day.

You can also drink the juice from fresh coriander leaves several times a day. Instead of drinking the juice all at once, keep it in your mouth for some time so that the juice can do its magic on the affected area.

3. Honey

Apply one teaspoon of honey carefully all around the canker sore. It will hurt for a few minutes, but it will then ease the pain and inflammation. Do this several times a day.

Mix one teaspoon of honey and one-quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder to make a fine paste. Apply the paste on the affected area and leave it on for a few minutes. Rinse your mouth well with lukewarm water. Repeat the process twice daily.

4. Salt

Salt will help draw the fluid from a canker sore and also speed up the healing process.

Mix one teaspoon of salt in one cup of lukewarm water and stir it well.

Use the solution to rinse your mouth. Swish the solution around for at least 30 seconds and then spit it out. This will help disinfect your mouth.

After completing your rinse, put a pinch of salt directly on the canker sore. It will cause some pain, but it will help a lot in the healing process.

Repeat the process four or five times a day.

5. Baking Soda

Baking soda is another very effective ingredient that can be used to treat canker sores. It can help neutralize the acidity and soothe the pain and inflammation.

Add a little water to one teaspoon of baking soda to make a paste. Apply the paste to the affected area using your fingers or a cotton ball. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse your mouth with lukewarm water. Do this three or four times a day.

Alternatively, you can mix two teaspoons of baking soda in a glass of warm water and use it to rinse your mouth. Follow this simple remedy four or five times a day.

6. Sage

You can also use the herb sage to effectively treat canker sores at home. The calming property of sage gives instant relief from the pain and inflammation.

Add three teaspoons of sage leaves to two cups of boiling water. Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Let the solution cool to room temperature and then use it to rinse your mouth. Do this three or four times a day.

Another option is to apply powdered sage leaves directly on the canker sore and leave it on for a few minutes. Repeat this several times a day to get rid of the sore.

Matty

zac

hopefully these methods work because i have had canker sores forever it started when i was 3 and i am now 14 at this moment i have around 9 small ones and 4 big one and my canker sores get up to the size dimes. please if you have anymore tips pls reply

Eva

I usually get canker sores for over a week and a half and they’re so painful and red. I just recently got one over the Christmas break and I was searching desperately for a pain relief. I started off putting aloe Vera jelly on it for the first two days then discovered that drinking Pepsi with meals took the pain down so much. I also kept it heavily moisturised with lip balm and it was gonna within 5 days and it wasn’t red and inflamed. sounds crazy but it worked.

Geri

I have a large sore on the side of my tongue that rubs against my tooth when I talk, very painful! I found that the sage, fresh aloe vera and baking soda paste have worked well to ease the pain. I did use a salt/water rinse, it helped some. Salt directly on the sore was very painful! I won’t do that again.

Nikolas

Jane

I have had canker sores all my life due to walnuts, raw bananas and a few other things. Finally a quick remedy: Arnica gel, applied 3 to 4 times per day directly on sore with a cotton swab or the end of a tooth brush. Gone within 12 hours!

melissa

Natal

Breanna

Use alum powder! It is found in the spice section in a grocery store. Apply it right to the canker sore. It will sting bad at first, and it doesn’t taste that great, but it will dry it out and make it go away faster.

Kathy

Omg, I have a canker sore on the bottom gum line. Hurts so bad. I have used the salt method but hasn’t helped. Also have used peroxide but still nothing. Think I’m going to try the honey and see what happens. Thanks for this website.

Maggie

Dakoda

I am 12 years old and I have a canker sore on the inside of my lip and use the salt rinse and direct salt and my Doctor said they are hereditary for some people and stress and to much salt can cause them I get them all the time and they hurt but if you bite them real hard they get num and it feels good for a while

Rachel

Just tried mixing turmeric and honey. Hope it works as well as the salt method I have tried in the past. The honey and turmeric caused a more subtle sting on application, but do feel an immediate relief of inflammation. Hope it helps.

Marissa Palmatier

Daisy

thank you thank you thank you i have a really big canker sore and i cant eat or talk. with these remedies i can get rid of the little basard and start to speak and eat again. so glad u helped me and others x

Pamela

I bite mouth a LOT, dentist won’t do anything, I can tell bite is off! The latest incident front bottom inside lip, have had four days! Seems worse, have prescription liquid that makes me sick to my stomach. Had canker sores most of my life until (B vitamins zinc and C every day, no SLS in tooth paste)! Now I just get sores when my bite is off. Wish I could find relief… NIGHTMARE! It’s a good thing I don’t have a job have to talk, would get FIRED

Valerie

What I usually do is 1) I use a sliced lemon and put salt on it and I put it on the sore and it goes away immediately. 2) I use dental mouthwash it stings but it goes away fast. These two remedies work really well they do hurt but it’ll be worth it!

Joyce

Mine is on the inside of my bottom lip, so like many of you, it’s hard to eat, and sometimes hard to talk. Pain just shoots nonstop, all the time. I have always used salt/water rinse, or direct salt. Can you say, OUCH! Does sting horrible, not going to lie! So much so that I don’t want to use the direct salt anymore. It’s not even helping this time anyway, so why bother. I’m going to try using baking soda then alternate with peroxide, directly, right now, actually. I’ll update tomorrow and let you all know if there is any difference.